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The fact that this album made the
list is a testament to the sole fact that it sounds so
good. Train’s importance is twofold. Firstly, a
young, brilliant upstart producer named Hi-Tek is
introduced to us on a grand scale. Second, a straight-up
lyrical juggernaut in Talib Kweli is introduced as a solo
emcee to the world. And at the end of the day, the dudes
show and prove. You just go from track to track and it’s
banger after banger. One can even take a look at the
video for “The Blast” and see what type of steez these
guys were on. I mean there was straight up DANCING in
that video—Alvin Ailey-like dancing. These guys really
made hip-hop beautiful, but dope at the same time. This
is perhaps the first time in the new millennium that raw
hip-hop—beats and lyrics—were maximized as pure art.
The sonic canvass that Hi-Tek created coupled with Kweli’s
sharp, intricate, and profound lyrics set a stage for
cerebral, heart-hitting music that has rarely been seen
since. Take tracks like “Love Language” or “Good
Mourning”. It is hard to think of two tracks in the new
millennium that are more honest, |
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introspective, and emotional with this
“new” type of hip-hop sound. The album is so
musical too. What was up with that random sax solo “Love
Speakeasy”? Simply put, a gem of a reprise of the song
that preceded it. And this sound was distinctly Hi-Tek.
There was a sentiment at the time that he might be the
next Primo...premature, yes…but that’s definitely
something that was said. A track like “Memories Live”
embodies and exemplifies beauty all over a wistful beat
the likes of which I had never heard. “This is how
hip-hop was meant to be”, Kweli muses…Amen.
The Hero said,
"There is not an album that I have heard, perhaps in my
life, that can touch all of the elements that this album
has. The album is truly an artistic experience. Hi-Tek on
the beat and Kweli on the mic. I mean, Kweli, displays all
facets of emceeing: the battle rhyming, conscious,
introspective, uplifting...he has it all. The "Four Women"
hidden track at the end is the greatest hip hop adaptation
of anything."
At the end of the day, the album is undeniable for anyone
who has respected hip-hop at any point in their life. |
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From the lowliest backpacker to the 17 year-old 106th
& Park watcher, there is a general consensus that this
album isjust dope—which is what hip hop is supposed to be—dope.
The ultimate point is this: within that niche of hip-hop,
the whole Rawkus/underground "type" sound, beats and
rhymes; this is probably the best album that niche
created. That’s heavy.
Music Dude |
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5.
Supreme Clientele
Ghostface Killah, Feb. 2000
more... |
4.
Mama's Gun
Erykah Badu, Nov. 2000
more... |
3.
The New Danger
Mos Def, Oct. 2004
more... |
2.
Voodoo
D'angelo, Jan. 2000
more... |
1.
Madvillainy
Madvillain, Mar. 2004
more... |
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